scholarly journals Latest Advances in Sow Nutrition during Early Gestation

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1720
Author(s):  
Pieter Langendijk
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Systemic Circulation ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Luteal Function ◽  
Early Gestation ◽  
Progesterone Secretion ◽  
Luteal Tissue ◽  
High Feed ◽  
Sow Nutrition ◽  
Seasonal Infertility

In the pig, the establishment and maintenance of luteal function in early gestation is crucial to endometrial function, embryo development, and survival. The level of feed intake has a positive effect on formation of luteal tissue and progesterone secretion by the ovaries in the pre-implantation period, which is important for endometrial remodeling and secretion. These effects are independent of luteinising hormone (LH) and probably driven by metabolic cues, such as insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and seem to support progesterone secretion and delivery to the endometrium, the latter which occurs directly, bypassing the systemic circulation. Even after implantation, a high feed intake seems to improve embryo survival and the maintenance of pregnancy. In this stage, luteal function is LH-dependent, although normal variations in energy intake may not result in pregnancy failure, but may contribute to nutrient supply to the embryos, since in this phase uterine capacity becomes limiting. Feed incidents, however, such as unintended fasting of animals or severe competition for feed, may result in embryo or even pregnancy loss, especially in periods of seasonal infertility. Specific nutrients such as arginine have a role in the vascularisation of the placenta and can improve the uterine capacity in the period after implantation.

Temporary undernutrition during early gestation, corpora lutea morphometrics, ovarian progesterone secretion and embryo survival in gilts

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 1349 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Langendijk ◽  
E. G. Bouwman ◽  
T. Y. Chen ◽  
R. E. Koopmanschap ◽  
N. M. Soede
Keyword(s):  
Blood Vessels ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Embryonic Survival ◽  
Luteal Function ◽  
Early Gestation ◽  
Pulsatile Secretion ◽  
Progesterone Secretion ◽  
Lh Secretion

The present study reports effects of severe undernutrition on luteal function and pregnancy in pigs. Gilts were inseminated and either fasted on Day 10 and 11 after conception (n = 11) or fully fed throughout (n = 10). Fasting did not affect LH or progesterone pulsatile secretion pattern on Day 11 in samples taken from blood vessels draining an ovary. Ultrasonographic measurements of the size of the corpora lutea did not show any effect of fasting either. However, fasted gilts had 10 to 30 % lower systemic progesterone from Day 12 through Day 15 after conception (P < 0.05). All gilts farrowed, but fasted gilts had fewer born piglets than fully fed gilts (8.8 ± 0.8 vs 10.9 ± 0.5 respectively; P < 0.05). In conclusion, fasting during embryo elongation can compromise embryonic survival by affecting ovarian function in the days after fasting, without having an immediate effect on LH secretion and progesterone output by the ovaries.

Effects of high feed intake during early gestation on sow performance and offspring growth and carcass characteristics

2006 ◽  
Vol 127 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 187-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.E. Musser ◽  
D.L. Davis ◽  
M.D. Tokach ◽  
J.L. Nelssen ◽  
S.S. Dritz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Early Gestation ◽  
Offspring Growth ◽  
High Feed

Effect of feeding level on luteal function and progesterone concentration in the vena cava during early pregnancy in gilts

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 531 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Z. Athorn ◽  
P. Stott ◽  
E. G. Bouwman ◽  
T. Y. Chen ◽  
D. J. Kennaway ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Vena Cava ◽  
Progesterone Concentration ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Luteal Function ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Survival And Development ◽  
Luteal Tissue ◽  
Effect Of Feeding

This study assessed the effect of feeding level on progesterone concentration in the caudal vena cava during early pregnancy in gilts. Twenty-four Landrace gilts were allocated to either a high (2.8±0.02) or a low (1.5±0.01kg day–1) feeding level at Day 0 of pregnancy. Serial blood samples were collected every 15min for 3h before and 3h after feeding on Days 6 and 9 of pregnancy. Embryo survival and development as well as in vitro luteal progesterone production were assessed at Day 10 of pregnancy. Progesterone concentration in the vena cava was pulsatile with gilts on the high feeding level having more pulses compared with Low gilts on Day 9 of pregnancy (P&lt;0.05). On Day 6 the number of pulses did not differ significantly between treatments; however, the average progesterone concentration in the vena cava tended to be higher in the gilts on the high feeding level (P&lt;0.10). Embryo survival at Day 10 was 92±3% for High gilts compared with 77±3% for Low gilts (P&lt;0.05). No difference in embryo development between the treatments was seen. There was no difference between treatments in in vitro secretion of progesterone by luteal tissue. In conclusion, a high plane of nutrition positively affects progesterone secretion by the ovaries in early pregnancy.

Feeding level and dietary energy source have no effect on embryo survival in gilts, despite changes in systemic progesterone levels

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Z. Athorn ◽  
P. Stott ◽  
E. G. Bouwman ◽  
A. C. Edwards ◽  
M. A. Blackberry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Source ◽  
Dietary Energy ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Luteal Function ◽  
Early Gestation ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Fibre Diet ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Effect Of Feeding ◽  
Starch Diet

This study was designed to assess the effect of feeding level and dietary energy source on luteal function, systemic progesterone concentration and embryo survival in gilts during early gestation. At Day 0 of pregnancy, 104 gilts were allocated to one of four experimental diets (LStarch: 1.2 × maintenance requirement (M) Starch diet (43.3% starch), n = 31; HStarch: 2.4 × M Starch diet (43.3% starch), n = 21; HFat: 2.4 × M Fat diet (13.5% fat), n = 23; and HFibre: 2.4 × M Fibre diet (7.2% fibre), n = 23). On Day 5 of gestation, no significant difference in circulating concentration of systemic progesterone was seen among the treatments. However, on Day 15 of pregnancy, gilts on the HStarch diet had a significantly lower concentration of systemic progesterone than did gilts on both the LStarch and HFat diets (P < 0.05; 24.8 ± 2.4 v. 32.7 ± 2.4 and 36.1 ± 2.1 ng/mL, respectively). At Day 35 of gestation, there was also a tendency for gilts on the HStarch and HFat diets to have a higher total luteal weight than for gilts on the LStarch diets (7.2 ± 0.2 and 7.1 ± 0.2 v. 6.7 ± 0.2 g (P < 0.05)). No difference in embryo survival was seen among the treatments. From the present study, we can conclude that altering feeding level and dietary energy source did not affect embryo survival, despite the fact that systemic progesterone concentrations were affected on Day 15 of gestation. Also, luteal weight was greater for those gilts on the high feeding level than for those on the low feeding level when fed the same energy source.

scholarly journals High Feed Intake Increases Liver Blood Flow and Metabolism of Progesterone and Estradiol-17β in Dairy Cattle

2002 ◽  
Vol 85 (11) ◽  
pp. 2831-2842 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Sangsritavong ◽  
D.K. Combs ◽  
R. Sartori ◽  
L.E. Armentano ◽  
M.C. Wiltbank
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Liver Blood Flow ◽  
High Feed ◽  
Estradiol 17Β

scholarly journals 27 Defining a robust sow: swine nutrition perspective on reproduction and lactation

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 13-13
Author(s):  
Joel M DeRouchey ◽  
Mike D Tokach ◽  
Robert D Goodband ◽  
Jason C Woodworth ◽  
Steve S Dritz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Energy Requirement ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mammary Development ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Embryo Survival

Abstract Improvements in modern sow prolificacy have markedly increased the number of pigs weaned, thus the ability of sows to provide nutrients to support fetal growth and milk production has been enhanced. The goals of the gestation nutrition program consist of meeting the nutrient requirements for maintenance and growth and for adequate conceptus development, while managing body condition. Early gestation represents the best opportunity for replenishing body reserves, whereas in late gestation, both estimated protein deposition and energy requirement are exponentially increased and directed towards fetal growth and mammary development. Increased feed intake after breeding has been presumed to be detrimental to embryo survival; however, data with modern line sows demonstrates to feed thin sows to recover body condition as quickly as possible while avoiding feed deprivation immediately after breeding. Importance of body condition scoring remains unchanged: feed thin sows to bring back to adequate body condition and prevent over-conditioned sows at farrowing. A recent meta-analysis showed increasing late gestation feed intake seems to modestly improve piglet birth weight by 28 g per piglet in gilts and sows. Also, recent findings in gestating sows suggest modern genotypes have improved feed efficiency and propensity for growth. Therefore, increasing energy intake during late gestation has a modest effect on piglet birth weight and a negative effect on stillborn rate. Historically, lactation catabolism impacted subsequent reproductive performance of sows, particularly in first-parity. However, contemporary sows appear to be increasingly resistant to the negative effects of lactational catabolism. Even so, continued emphasis on maximizing lactation feed intake is critical to support milk production and prevent excessive lean tissue mobilization. Research data suggests that ad libitum feeding and offering lactation diets during the wean-to-estrus interval is not needed. Modern genetic sow lines appear to be more robust from a nutritional perspective than in the past.

Role of melatonin on embryo viability in sheep

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 82 ◽  
Author(s):  
José-Alfonso Abecia ◽  
Fernando Forcada ◽  
María-Isabel Vázquez ◽  
Teresa Muiño-Blanco ◽  
José A. Cebrián-Pérez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pineal Gland ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Embryo Quality ◽  
Protective Action ◽  
Embryo Viability ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Luteal Function ◽  
Seasonal Rhythms ◽  
Natural Hormone

Melatonin is a natural hormone synthesised in the pineal gland, the activity of which is regulated by day–night perception and dictates seasonal rhythms in reproduction in ovine species. Exogenous melatonin, administered via subcutaneous implants, is used to prolong the breeding season of ewes and can increase the proportion of pregnant ewes (fertility rate) and litter size. The increased proportion of ewes that become pregnant and the number of lambs born per lambing among melatonin-treated sheep may be caused by increased embryo survival, through enhanced luteal function, reduced antiluteolytic mechanisms, or improved embryo quality. This review focuses on the effects of melatonin on embryo viability and summarises the processes by which this hormone affects the ovary, follicle, oocyte, corpus luteum and embryo. Moreover, the effects of melatonin on the mechanisms of invivo maternal recognition of pregnancy in sheep and the protective action that it appears to have on the invitro procedures that are used to obtain healthy embryos are reviewed.

scholarly journals PSXI-5 Effect of increasing feed intake during late gestation on piglet birth weight and weaning weight of low backfat thickness sows

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 387-388
Author(s):  
Yuanfei Zhou ◽  
Zuhong Liu ◽  
Jian Peng
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Energy Requirement ◽  
Body Weight Loss ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Backfat Thickness ◽  
Large White ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Weight Variation ◽  
High Feed

Abstract This study investigated the effect of feed intake during late gestation on piglet birth weight and weaning weight of sows with the low backfat thickness (BF) at gestation 90 d. A total of 397 crossbred Landrance × Large White sows according to feed intakes were randomly allotted to three groups 2.8 kg/d (the energy requirement for sow maintenance), 3.6 kg/d and 4.0 kg/d from day 90 to day 110 of gestation. Sows were weighed and measured BF at 90 d and at 110 d of gestation and at weaning. Piglet performance at parturition and at weaning and wean-to-estrus of sows were recorded. Although sows had a tendency to increase BF at gestation 110 d (P = 0.09) and had more BF gain during late gestation with higher feed intake (P &lt; 0.01), there was no evidence for differences in piglet birth weight, within-litter birth weight variation and weak piglet rate, and the number of total born, born alive and stillborn. During lactation, sows fed with high feed intake in late gestation increased body weight loss (P &lt; 0.01). And no differences were observed in piglet performance at weaning and wean-to-estrus interval of sows. In conclusion, during late gestation, sows fed with feed intake more than energy requirement for maintenance had no effect on piglet birth weight or weaning weight.

EFFECT OF NUTRITIONAL FLUSHING, SUPPLEMENTAL FAT AND SUPPLEMENTAL LYSINE FROM PUBERTY TO BREEDING AND DURING EARLY GESTATION ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF GILTS

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 941-951 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. R. GRANDHI
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Allantoic Fluid ◽  
Progesterone Level ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Early Gestation ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Animal Fat ◽  
Supplemental Fat

Four experiments were conducted, using a total of 356 Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred gilts, to determine the influence of flushing, supplemental fat and supplemental lysine fed from puberty to breeding (exps. 1 and 2) and from puberty through early gestation (exps. 3 and 4) on the reproductive performance of gilts. All gilts were housed in total confinement and fed ad libitum a 16% protein swine grower diet until 150 d of age. The diet was then restricted to 2 kg d−1 until puberty. The treatment diets fed from puberty to breeding in exps. 1 and 2 were: (1) control, a 12% protein barley-soybean meal gestation diet fed at 2 kg d−1 (24.4 MJ DE d−1); (2) flushing, control diet fed at 3 kg d−1 (36.6 MJ DE d−1; (3) animal fat, control diet fed at 2 kg d−1 plus 622 g of fat premix (36.6 MJ DE d−1; and (4) lysine, control diet with supplemental lysine (14 g d−1) fed at 2 kg d−1 (24.4 MJ DE d−1). After breeding, all gilts were fed control diet at 2 kg d−1 until approximately 30 d at gestation. In exps. 3 and 4, the same treatment diets were used except flushing was omitted and they were fed from puberty to approximately 30 d of gestation. No significant differences (P > 0.05) among the treatment groups were found in any of the experiments for the number of corpora lutea and normal embryos, and ovarian, uterine, and fetal weights. In exp. 2, the embryo survival rate (%) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the flushing (81.7 ± 3.3) and animal fat (78.3 ± 3.3) groups than in the control (92.9 ± 3.0); however, the lysine (88.8 ± 3.5) group did not differ significantly from the other groups. The embryo survival rate was also reduced (P < 0.05) by supplemental fat (81.5 ± 2.7) when compared to the control (86.8 ± 3.0) and lysine (88.8 ± 2.7) diets in exp. 3 but not in exp. 4. The serum progesterone level (ng/mL−1) was lower (P < 0.05) in the animal fat group (4.1 ± 0.6) than in the control (6.3 ± 0.6) and lysine (6.1 ± 0.6) groups in exp. 4. However, progesterone level of allantoic fluid in exp. 4 and estrone sulfate levels of both serum and allantoic fluid in exps. 3 and 4 were similar for the three treatment groups. The overall results indicated that flushing, supplemental fat or supplemental lysine fed from puberty to breeding, and supplemental fat or supplemental lysine fed from puberty through early gestation did not improve the ovulation rate, embryo survival or fetal development in gilts. Key words: Ovulation rate, embryo survival, flushing, fat, lysine, hormones, gilts

scholarly journals Diestrous Ovulations in Pregnant Mares as a Response to Low Early Postovulatory Progestogen Concentration

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2249
Author(s):  
Carolina T. C. Okada ◽  
Martim Kaps ◽  
Javier Perez Quesada ◽  
Camille Gautier ◽  
Jörg Aurich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Prostaglandin F2α ◽  
Tissue Response ◽  
P Value ◽  
Luteal Function ◽  
Luteal Tissue ◽  
Underlying Causes ◽  
Hypothalamic Pituitary Axis ◽  
Effect Of Treatment ◽  
Response Detection

Spontaneous prolongation of the luteal phase has been described in horses, but the underlying causes are still unclear. The present study investigated details of gonadotrophin and progestogen secretion in pregnant mares (n = 11) with or without experimentally reduced early postovulatory luteal function. From days 0 to 3 after ovulation, they were treated with the prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) analogue cloprostenol or left untreated. After conceptus collection on day 34, they were assigned to the opposite treatment. Mares were affiliated to the group primary corpus luteum (n = 6) or diestrous corpus luteum (n = 5) depending on diestrous corpus luteum (CL) detection in the PGF pregnancy. For statistical comparisons, a p-value < 0.05 was significant. There was an effect of treatment (p < 0.01), but not of group on progestogen concentration. The concentration of LH was higher in PGF-treated than in untreated pregnancies (p < 0.05), but did not differ between groups. The FSH concentration did not differ between groups nor treatments. The total luteal tissue area was greater in mares with a diestrous ovulation during the PGF treatment pregnancy. Low progestogen concentration in the early postovulatory phase diminish the negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in early pregnancy and, thus, stimulate a luteal tissue response. Detection of secondary CL at the time of pregnancy examination in mares may reflect that early post-ovulatory progestogen concentrations were low.

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